Life You don't hear this every day.

**Rain Man** · 04-06-2009, 10:07 PM

I was in the grocery store tonight to buy some Powerball tickets since I think I've got a good chance of winning this week. As I was putting my change in my billfold, the woman behind me stepped up. She got a Western Union form for transferring money out of a little display kiosk on the counter. The counter lady said, "You need to fill that out."

The woman said, "I don't read or write."

The clerk started filling out the form for her, but wow. How many people can't read or write in this day and age? This was not a recent immigrant or anything, either. It was a woman who had obviously been born in the U.S. She was about my age.

Pioli Zombie · 04-06-2009, 10:09 PM

Yeah, who ever heard of illiteracy?
Posted via Mobile Device

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-06-2009, 10:09 PM

I went to look up the US literacy rates, but couldn't read what it said.

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 04-06-2009, 10:10 PM

I'm surprised she was as forthcoming with it. I can't imagine even 1% of the population is illiterate. Time for a google check.

**007** · 04-06-2009, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

I went to look up the US literacy rates, but couldn't read what it said.

how did you look it up much less type this then?

**Mr. Flopnuts** · 04-06-2009, 10:11 PM

1%. Which is a tie for 17th globally. Number 1? Why, Cuba of course!!!!

**KcMizzou** · 04-06-2009, 10:11 PM

Stop being such an asshole. I can't read or write either.

Jenson71 · 04-06-2009, 10:11 PM

I've never personally met anyone who couldn't read or write.

In the early 1990s, there was a Robert De Niro movie called Stanley and Iris. His character couldn't read or write either, and I think it gave a bit of a forum for the issue, enough to show it was a problem for enough people to make it into a movie and have people speak out about it. Unfortunately, the movie screws up in the end, so turn it off before he goes to Detriot if you are going to watch it (it's really good other than the ending).

**OnTheWarpath15** · 04-06-2009, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guru

how did you look it up much less type this then?

Wait. What?

**Bugeater** · 04-06-2009, 10:15 PM

While it's pathetic, I can believe the writing part, but how can you not be able to read?

Pioli Zombie · 04-06-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bugeater

While it's pathetic, I can believe the writing part, but how can you not be able to read?

Were you just born or something?
Posted via Mobile Device

**Rain Man** · 04-06-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pioli Zombie

Were you just born or something?
Posted via Mobile Device

Do newborns not have a strong understanding of reading?

KCChiefsMan · 04-06-2009, 10:27 PM

I dont know anyone that dumb. But I'm confident I've had encounters with them. 20% of Americans cant even point out the USA on a world map.

**pr_capone** · 04-06-2009, 10:28 PM

I voted yes, 25 and younger.

I have 18 Kindergarteners who can read to save their life.

Sure... the easy stuff like cat and dog they can do after they struggle with it for a bit but have them try and read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and see how far they get.

**TinyEvel** · 04-06-2009, 10:28 PM

recently, something like 40 percent of women who were "in shape" chose to give up "the ability to read" over losing their figure.

THAT'S WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICA!!!

View Poll Results: Do you know someone who was born in the U.S. and can't read or write?
Yes, someone age 65 or older.	5	8.33%
Yes, someone age 46 to 64	3	5.00%
Yes, someone age 26 to 45	6	10.00%
Yes, someone age 25 or younger	5	8.33%
No	41	68.33%
I don't know. I can't read the poll.	10	16.67%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 60. You may not vote on this poll

04-06-2009, 10:07 PM
Rain Man NFL's #1 Ermines Fan Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: My house Casino cash: $3268491 VARSITY	You don't hear this every day. I was in the grocery store tonight to buy some Powerball tickets since I think I've got a good chance of winning this week. As I was putting my change in my billfold, the woman behind me stepped up. She got a Western Union form for transferring money out of a little display kiosk on the counter. The counter lady said, "You need to fill that out." The woman said, "I don't read or write." The clerk started filling out the form for her, but wow. How many people can't read or write in this day and age? This was not a recent immigrant or anything, either. It was a woman who had obviously been born in the U.S. She was about my age.
Posts: 141,496

04-06-2009, 10:09 PM	#2
Pioli Zombie Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: olathe,kansas Casino cash: $10004900	Yeah, who ever heard of illiteracy? Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 11,077

04-06-2009, 10:09 PM	#3
OnTheWarpath15 MVP Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $4891115	I went to look up the US literacy rates, but couldn't read what it said.
Posts: 60,265

04-06-2009, 10:11 PM	#7
KcMizzou Supporter Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Parkville MO Casino cash: $10005170	Stop being such an asshole. I can't read or write either.
Posts: 54,695

04-06-2009, 10:11 PM	#8
Jenson71 fides quaerens intellectum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: United States Casino cash: $8330900	I've never personally met anyone who couldn't read or write. In the early 1990s, there was a Robert De Niro movie called Stanley and Iris. His character couldn't read or write either, and I think it gave a bit of a forum for the issue, enough to show it was a problem for enough people to make it into a movie and have people speak out about it. Unfortunately, the movie screws up in the end, so turn it off before he goes to Detriot if you are going to watch it (it's really good other than the ending).
Posts: 15,986

04-06-2009, 10:15 PM	#10
Bugeater The Maintenance Guy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Renovated Bugeater Estate Casino cash: $6242680	While it's pathetic, I can believe the writing part, but how can you not be able to read?
Posts: 70,443

04-06-2009, 10:27 PM	#13
KCChiefsMan AIC Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: West Roxbury, MA Casino cash: $10004900	I dont know anyone that dumb. But I'm confident I've had encounters with them. 20% of Americans cant even point out the USA on a world map.
Posts: 11,478

04-06-2009, 10:28 PM	#14
pr_capone ** SOC & ** YOU Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chiefs Hell Casino cash: $10018214	I voted yes, 25 and younger. I have 18 Kindergarteners who can read to save their life. Sure... the easy stuff like cat and dog they can do after they struggle with it for a bit but have them try and read A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and see how far they get.
Posts: 19,884

04-06-2009, 10:28 PM	#15
TinyEvel Just a li'l Evel Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bald. Goatee. Jorts. Casino cash: $5387131	recently, something like 40 percent of women who were "in shape" chose to give up "the ability to read" over losing their figure. THAT'S WHAT'S WRONG WITH AMERICA!!!
Posts: 11,812